Homeowners are being warned to be on the look out after an unsuspecting couple handed £800 to a man who claimed he had carried out emergency work to their property.

Croydon Council’s trading standard officers are investigating the scam after being contacted by the Croham pensioners who became concerned after handing over the cash.

The sting, which took place last week, saw the couple receiving a number of phone calls from a con man who claimed to be a builder working on a neighbouring property.

He told said he needed access to their home in order to erect scaffolding.

The next day they were visited by the alleged scaffolder but it soon became clear to the couple that he was assessing their home and not the adjacent property.

When they pointed this out he became angry and left.

Following that visit, the couple received a series of phone calls from the builder claiming emergency work was required to their chimney, which he said was on the verge of falling down.

They eventually agreed to the work being carried out. Next day they paid cash to a man who told them the work had been completed.

A surveyor was sent to the property and confirmed that no works had taken place.

Councillor Steve O’Connell, cabinet member for safety and cohesion, said: “Unfortunately, this is an all too common occurrence and this poor couple have learned a hard lesson.

“These fraudsters target unsuspecting residents by cajoling, confusing and pressurising them into handing over their hard earned cash. I would urge everyone to be on guard against these types of confidence tricks.”